Transportable and Removable Pouch for Containing Orthodontic Aligners

ABSTRACT

An expandable and collapsible pouch for accommodating an orthodontic appliance while not is use. The pouch may be selectively and repeatedly coupled to a variety of objects. After selectively coupling the pouch to a desired object, the user opens the pouch by expanding at least one collapsible wall or side. The user then removes their orthodontic appliance, inserts it into the open pouch, and then closes the pouch by letting the pouch contract. When the orthodontic appliance is needed again, the user removes the appliance from the pouch and lets the pouch contract into its original position flush against the surface of the object. The pouch is coupled to the object via a magnet disposed within the pouch that is configured to interact with the surface of the object. The pouch also includes a second magnet which assists the pouch maintain a closed position while an appliance is inserted therein.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to U.S. application Ser. No.17/221,276, filed on Apr. 2, 2021, which is incorporated herein byreference and to which priority is claimed pursuant to 35 USC 120.

BACKGROUND Field of the Technology

The invention relates to the field of orthodontic accessories, namely anew and useful apparatus and method for easily accommodating andtransporting orthodontic appliances or accessories, specificallyorthodontic aligners.

Description of the Prior Art

Cases or containers have long been used to store, house, or accommodatevarious orthodontic or oral appliances when not being used, most notablyretainers, aligners, or denture appliances. In their most basic form,cases for orthodontic appliances comprise a clam-shell design which,after placing the orthodontic appliance into one of the two halves ofthe clam shell, is snapped shut to fully envelope the orthodonticappliance and shield it from the outside environment. The case istypically comprised of plastic or other sufficiently hard or rigidmaterial so as to protect the appliance and prevent it from breakingshould the appliance be dropped, squeezed, or otherwise mishandled. Whenthe appliance is needed, the case is opened by pulling the clam-shellapart and then removing the appliance, thereby maintaining a degree ofcleanliness for the appliance when inside the case.

A problem develops however because even though a case may be effectivein keeping an orthodontic or oral appliance sanitary and protected whennot being used, the case and any contents contained therein may still belost or misplaced, thereby denying the user the ability to use theirorthodontic or dental appliance or otherwise follow their orthodonticprescription. This problem is particularly acute for young users whotend to be more forgetful and misplace their belongings more frequentlythan older users. Additionally, when the orthodontic appliance to becontained within a case is a soft aligner, the relative size and bulk ofa case becomes a hindrance since such aligners are not likely to bedamaged even if they were dropped or squeezed without any sort ofprotective barrier. In other words, the protection provided by a hard orrigid case which is a necessity for some appliances such as a retainerwould become redundant or unnecessary when the same case is used toaccommodate a much softer and more malleable aligner.

What is needed therefore is a means and method for keeping anorthodontic aligner sanitary when not in use which is easy to transportand keep with the user at all times. The means should also be convenientto use by being easily adapted to a fit a variety of different tastesand styles for each user without being overly large or difficult to useby even a young user.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The current invention provides an apparatus for accommodating at leastone orthodontic appliance when not in use. The apparatus includes afront panel, a back panel, and at least one collapsible side coupled tothe front panel and the back panel. The apparatus also includes meansfor removably and repeatedly attaching the apparatus to an object.

In one embodiment, the apparatus also includes a collapsible bottom thatis coupled to the front panel, the back panel, and the at least onelateral collapsible side. Specifically, the at least one lateralcollapsible side or the collapsible bottom includes at least one pleat.

In another embodiment, the means for removably and repeatedly attachingthe apparatus to the object is a magnet that is disposed within the backpanel. In this embodiment, the magnet is configured to interact with asurface of the object.

In a further embodiment, the means for removably attaching the apparatusto the object includes a ring attached to the back panel of theapparatus, the ring being configured to accommodate at least a portionof the object there through.

In one embodiment, the apparatus also includes a base, wherein the baseitself includes means for removably attaching the base to a surface ofthe object as well as means for removably attaching the base to the backpanel.

In yet another embodiment, the front panel and the back panel are eachshaped so as to match the shape of the orthodontic appliance.

In one embodiment, the apparatus also includes an opening that isdefined between the front panel and the back panel and means forselectively closing the opening defined between the front panel and theback panel. Specifically, the means for selectively closing the openingincludes a magnet that is disposed within the front panel. In a relatedembodiment, the means for selectively closing the opening is configuredto engage with the means for removably coupling the back panel to theobject.

The current invention also provides a method for storing an orthodonticappliance when not in use. The method includes attaching a pouch to asurface of an object, actuating the pouch into an expandedconfiguration, and then accommodating the orthodontic appliance withinthe pouch. Next, the pouch is actuated again into a contractedconfiguration. When the orthodontic appliance is needed, the pouch isthen removed from the surface of the object.

In one embodiment, attaching the pouch to the surface of the objectinvolves magnetically attaching a back panel of the pouch to the surfaceof the object.

In another embodiment, attaching the pouch to the surface of the objectinvolves pressing a back panel of the pouch with an adhesive disposedthereon against the surface of the object. The adhesive on the backpanel is covered with a peel-off backing, which when removed, allows theuser to press and stick the now exposed sticky surface of the pouch tothe object.

In another embodiment, actuating the pouch into an expandedconfiguration is done by extending at least one collapsible side of thepouch.

In yet another embodiment, the method also includes attaching a base tothe surface of the object, attaching the pouch to that base, and thenremoving the pouch from the base when no longer needed.

In a further embodiment, the method also includes selectively closing anopening of the pouch after inserting the orthodontic appliance into thepouch. Specifically, selectively closing the opening of the pouchincludes magnetically attaching a front panel of the pouch either to theback panel of the pouch or to the surface of the object.

In another embodiment, accommodating the orthodontic appliance withinthe pouch specifically includes inserting the orthodontic appliance intoan internal volume within the pouch which matches a shape of theorthodontic appliance itself.

In another embodiment, actuating the pouch into a contractedconfiguration specifically includes compressing at least one collapsibleside of the pouch until the pouch is flush against the surface of theobject.

In a related embodiment, actuating the pouch into a contractedconfiguration specifically includes retracting at least one collapsibleside of the pouch through a spring force that is provided by the atleast one collapsible side of the pouch until the pouch is flush againstthe surface of the object.

While the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake ofgrammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expresslyunderstood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 USC112, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by theconstruction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accordedthe full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition providedby the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in thecase where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC 112 are tobe accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 USC 112. The disclosurecan be better visualized by turning now to the following drawingswherein like elements are referenced by like numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of a first embodiment of thecurrent device comprising a pouch as it is being coupled to the surfaceof an object by a user while in a contracted configuration.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the pouch seen in FIG. 1 afterbeing coupled to the object and after the user has actuated the pouchinto an expanded configuration.

FIG. 3 is a frontal perspective view of the pouch seen in FIG. 2 whilethe pouch is in the expanded configuration.

FIG. 4A is a frontal view of an alternative embodiment of the currentinvention comprising a pouch with a substantially semi-circular shape.

FIG. 4B is a side perspective view of the pouch seen in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is an upward orientated perspective view of the pouch seen inFIG. 4A.

FIG. 4D is a top down view of the pouch seen in FIG. 4A.

The disclosure and its various embodiments can now be better understoodby turning to the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments which are presented as illustrated examples of theembodiments defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that theembodiments as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustratedembodiments described below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detail of the current invention may be had by turning to FIGS. 1-3 wherethe aligner pouch may be seen and which is denoted generally byreference numeral 10. The aligner pouch 10 comprises a front panel 12and a back panel 14, the front panel 12 and the back panel 14 eachdefining a plane that is parallel with respect to one another. The frontpanel 12 is coupled or integrally joined to the back panel 14 through aplurality of lateral collapsible sides 16 and at a least one collapsiblebottom 18. The front panel 12, back panel 14, and the lateralcollapsible sides 16 cooperate to define an internal volume within thealigner pouch 10. An opening 22 is preferably defined in a top orlateral edge of the aligner pouch 10, the opening 22 providing access tothe internal volume within the aligner pouch 10. The aligner pouch 10 ispreferably comprised of a single piece of material or a single componentso that the front panel 12, the back panel 14, the collapsible sides 16,and the collapsible bottom 18 of the aligner pouch 10 are integrallyformed with one another, however in an alternative embodiment, the frontpanel 12, back panel 14, lateral collapsible sides 16, and collapsiblebottom 18 are each comprised of different components or portions and aretherefore separable and detachable from one another. In yet anotheralternative embodiment, the opening 22 may be defined along alongitudinal edge of the aligner pouch 10 instead of the lateral edge ofthe aligner pouch 10 as seen.

The aligner pouch 10 is preferably comprised of silicone or neoprene,however it should be expressly understood that other relativelyinexpensive and flexible materials such as paper, cardboard, wax,plastic, or the like may be used without significantly departing fromthe original spirit and scope of the invention.

Additionally, the aligner pouch 10 as seen in FIGS. 1-3 is substantiallyrectangular in shape, however it is to be expressly understood thatadditional or different shapes may be used without departing from theoriginal spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the alignerpouch 10′ in a separate embodiment seen in FIGS. 4A-4D may comprise acircular or semi-circular shape which more closely matches the shape ofthe aligners 24 which may be inserted therein, thereby providing acloser or tighter fitting means for accommodation. Specifically, thefront panel 12′ and the back panel 14′ each comprise a rounded orsemi-circular bottom edge 26 and a straight or flat top edge 28 so as toprovide the user a maximum space for the opening 22′ while stillmaintaining a tighter or more closely fitting shape for thesubstantially arch shaped aligner 24. In this embodiment, the alignerpouch 10′ comprises a single collapsible surface 30 disposed around theentire arc of the aligner pouch 10′ as defined by the front panel 12′and the back panel 14′ as best seen in FIG. 4D. The collapsible surface30 comprises a pleat 32 along its entire length so that the alignerpouch 10′ may be expanded or contracted accordingly. The aligner pouch10′ also may comprise a ring 34 coupled to the back panel 14′. The ring34 permits the user to attach the aligner pouch 10′ to a variety ofattachment points including hooks, clips, key chains, and the like.

Returning to FIGS. 1-3, the front panel 12, the lateral collapsiblesides 16, and the collapsible bottom 18 of the aligner pouch 10 eachcomprise smooth or substantially smooth edges and surfaces so as toassist the aligner pouch 10 in maintaining a low frictional coefficientand thereby helping it to avoid getting caught or snagged on anotherobject. The back panel 14 however comprises an adhesive or glue disposedover at least a portion thereof, preferably on a rear most facingsurface. A peel-off backing initially covers the adhesive on the backpanel 14 so that the aligner pouch 10 does not unintentionally stick tothe surface of any object until the peel-off backing is removed, therebyexposing the adhesive disposed on the surface beneath. The adhesiveprovides a means for the back panel 14 and thereby the entire alignerpouch 10 to stick or couple to a surface of another object when thealigner pouch 10 is applied or pressed against the surface of thatobject. The adhesive may be strong enough so that the aligner pouch 10may be permanently attached or coupled to the surface it is applied to,or more preferably, the adhesive may be such that the aligner pouch 10may be first applied to the surface of the object and then subsequentlyremoved without damaging the surface of the object it was applied to.Additionally, the adhesive disposed on the back panel 14 may beresilient enough so that the aligner pouch 10 may be reapplied to thesame surface or to a different surface of another object if desired.After removing the peel-off backing, the aligner pouch 10 may be appliedor coupled to the object which may be any standard or household objectsuch as but not limited to phones, purses, briefcases, or the surfacesof a desk, headboard, bathroom mirror and the like.

In a related embodiment, the back panel 14 may further comprise one ormore magnets that are either coupled to the surface of the back panel 14or more preferably disposed within the material composing the back panel14 itself. Specifically, each of the magnets are substantiallyrectangular or plate shaped so as to be disposed within the thickness ofthe material comprising the back panel 14. The aligner pouch 10 may betemporarily coupled to any object which is comprised of ferromagneticmaterial including but not limited to lockers, purses, refrigerators,metal phone cases, briefcases, headboards, and other similar objects byplacing the back panel 14 containing the magnet in close proximity tothe surface of the object the aligner pouch 10 is to be attached to.

To use the aligner pouch 10, a user first applies the aligner pouch 10to the surface of an object 20 by first aligning the back panel 14 witha location on the surface where the user desires to place the alignerpouch 10. The user then presses the aligner pouch 10 against theobject's surface, thereby engaging the adhesive and/or the magnetdisposed on the back panel 14 with the surface of the object 20. It isimportant to note that the object 20 as seen in FIGS. 1-3 is asmartphone or cell phone, however it should be expressly understood thatthe object 20 may be any object made from any type of material includingbut not limited to a phone case, a pocketbook, a wallet or purse, abackpack, a briefcase, a lunch box, an arm band, a workout accessory, orany other similar personal or transportable item now known or laterdevised. Additionally, the aligner pouch 10 may be affixed or coupled toa stationary object or piece of furniture such as a mirror at a bathroomsink, a bedside table or headboard, a piece of exercise equipment suchas a treadmill, and the like.

After the aligner pouch 10 has been coupled to the object 20 of theuser's choice, the aligner pouch 10 is opened in one particularembodiment by the user pulling upward on the front panel 12 whichunfolds, extends, or otherwise expands the lateral collapsible sides 16and the collapsible bottom 18 from the configuration seen in FIG. 1 tothe configuration seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. As the lateral collapsiblesides 16 and the collapsible bottom 18 are expanded, the opening 22 isalso expanded or enlarged, thereby providing increased access to theinternal volume of the aligner pouch 10. The user may then place orinsert an aligner 24 or other orthodontic or dental appliance into theinternal volume of the aligner pouch 10, specifically within the volumedefined between the front panel 12, the back panel 14, the lateralcollapsible sides 16, and the collapsible bottom 18 as seen in FIG. 3.Once placed, the user may secure the aligner 24 within the aligner pouch10 by pressing or moving the front panel 12 back towards the back panel14, or alternatively by simply releasing the front panel 12 and lettinga spring resistance associated with either the lateral collapsible sides16 or the collapsible bottom 18 retract or close the aligner pouch 10and completely envelope the aligner 24 contained therein.

The user may then eat, workout, or complete any other task they wishwhile the retainer 24 remains securely within the internal volume of thealigner pouch 10, the aligner pouch 10 itself remaining securely coupledor adhered to the surface of the selected object 20. When the user isready to use the aligners 24 again, the process is largely repeated byfirst pulling upward on the front panel 12 and once again enlarging theopening 22. The user may then remove the aligner 24 from the alignerpouch 10 and then allow or push the aligner pouch 10 into the retractedor compact configuration seen in FIG. 1.

After removing the aligner 24, the user may keep the aligner pouch 10disposed on or adhered to the object 20 and then continue to use theobject 20 for its normal or intended purpose. For example, if the object20 is a cell phone as seen in FIG. 1, the object 20 may be placed intothe user's pocket or otherwise used as is traditionally known withoutfear that the aligner pouch 10 will interfere or obstruct any particularuse of the object 20. The aligner pouch 10 preferably collapses againstthe object 20 so that the entire aligner pouch 10 is flush orsubstantially flush against the surface of the object 20 as seen in FIG.1 so as to form a reduced or uniform profile, thus preventing thealigner pouch 20 from getting snagged or caught on the user's clothingor other items which may be in the same environment as the aligner pouch10. Alternatively, after the aligner 24 is removed, the user may removethe aligner pouch 10 from the object 20 completely by simply peeling ordetaching the aligner pouch 10 from the object 20. The user may thenstore the aligner pouch 10 in a separate container for later orsubsequent use, or dispose of the aligner pouch 10 completely bythrowing it away.

In one particular embodiment, the aligner pouch 10 further comprisesmeans for selectively closing the opening 22. The means for selectivelyclosing the opening 22 may comprise a snap or friction fit button whichallows the user to close the opening 22 by pressing the front panel 12into or against the back panel 14 until the coupling means are engagedwhenever the aligner 24 is inserted into the internal volume of thealigner pouch 10. Conversely, whenever the aligner 24 is to be removedfrom the aligner pouch 10, the front panel 12 is pulled from the backpanel 14 until the coupling means are disengaged or released. In anotherrelated embodiment, the front panel 12 comprises a second magnet whichinteracts with either the surface of the object 20 or with the firstmagnet disposed within the back panel 14 so as to open and close theopening 22 by selectively bringing the second magnet into proximity withthe first magnet or disengaging the second magnet from the first magnet,respectively. Alternatively, the coupling means may also compriseswatches of hook and loop fabric, clips, or other equivalent means nowknown or later devised.

In one specific embodiment, the means for selectively closing comprisesa top flap attached to either the front panel 12 or back panel 14 of thecollapsible aligner pouch 10 so that when the aligner pouch 10 isextended or expanded, the top flap moves into position over the opening22. Specifically, the flap is initially in a position which isperpendicular relative to the front panel 12 or back panel 14 of thealigner pouch 10. After the aligner pouch 10 is expanded, the flap isthen rotated relative to the surface it is coupled to so as to block orobstruct the opening 22, thereby closing the opening 22 while alsoserving as a support member for maintaining the aligner pouch 10 in anexpanded position. To close the aligner pouch 10, the flap is pushedinto the aligner pouch 10 allowing the pouch to “snap” into a closedposition. The flap is held in a folded position parallel relative to thefront panel 12 or back panel 14 of the aligner pouch 10 by either thefirst or second magnets, or by the pressure or overall weight of thecontracted aligner pouch 10.

In FIGS. 1-3, the lateral collapsible sides 16 and the collapsiblebottom 18 are seen as each comprising a plurality of folds or bendswhich permits each respective surface to fold in on itself. The alignerpouch 10 is further comprised of a semi-rigid material such as siliconeso that when the aligner pouch 10 is expanded or contracted, the lateralcollapsible sides 16 and collapsible bottom 18 “snap” or “spring” openor closed, respectively, when a particular threshold of movement hasbeen reached. It should be expressly noted however that alternativeconfigurations other that what is explicitly shown may be used. Forexample, the lateral collapsible sides 16 and the collapsible bottom 18may comprise a plurality of pleats or a collapsible frame whichautomatically expand or contract when the aligner pouch 10 is opened andclosed, respectively.

In an alternative embodiment, the aligner pouch 10 may further comprisea separate removable base which is removable relative to both the object20 and the aligner pouch 10. The base is preferably comprised of thesame soft yet durable material as the aligner pouch 10 and is alsopreferably sized and shaped to match the footprint or profile of thealigner pouch 10 itself. Additionally, the base further comprises atleast one surface which has an adhesive material or magnet disposedthereon, preferably on a back surface which is configured to contact andcouple to an object. Specifically, the base is disposed over a surfaceof the object 20 which the user wishes to apply the aligner pouch 10 andthen coupled or affixed to the object by having the back surface of thebase pressed against the object 20. Once properly secured, the alignerpouch 10 in turn may then be coupled to the base by pressing the backsurface of the back panel 14 against a front surface of the base. Theadhesive and or first magnet disposed on the back panel 14 of thealigner pouch 10 interacts with another adhesive or magnet disposedwithin the base, thereby temporarily coupling the aligner pouch 10 tothe base and ensuring that as the object 20 is moved or used, the baseand the aligner pouch 10 move along with it. The aligner pouch 10 maythen be used in the same manner described above, namely wherein thealigner pouch 10 is expanded or contracted to insert or retrieve thealigner 24, respectively. Similarly, when use of the aligner pouch 10 isno longer desired, the aligner pouch 10 may be removed from the base bybeing pulled back from the base and then being stored or disposed of. Asecond, new aligner pouch 10 may then be applied to the same base andthen used as needed for the same aligner 24.

In one particular embodiment, the adhesive disposed on the base is of astronger or more resilient type of adhesive as compared to the adhesivedisposed on the back surface of the back panel 14. In other words, it isa further aspect of the current invention that the base be permanentlyor substantially permanently attached or coupled to the object 20 asopposed to the aligner pouch 10 which is allowed to be more freelyremovable or transportable. Additionally, the base and aligner pouch 10may comprise other means for coupling to each including but not limitedto corresponding segments or patches of hook and loop fabric,corresponding male and female snap buttons or friction fits, or otherequivalent mechanical means now known or later devised,

The material comprising the aligner pouch 10 may be any color or shade,and may further include any pattern or design. The aligner pouch 10 mayfurther be personalized with graphical images, text, or featureadvertisements for aligner manufacturers or a doctor's practice, amongmany other options.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinaryskill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of theembodiments. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustratedembodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and thatit should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by thefollowing embodiments and its various embodiments.

Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment hasbeen set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should notbe taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following claims.For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim areset forth below in a certain combination, it must be expresslyunderstood that the embodiments includes other combinations of fewer,more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when notinitially claimed in such combinations. A teaching that two elements arecombined in a claimed combination is further to be understood as alsoallowing for a claimed combination in which the two elements are notcombined with each other, but may be used alone or combined in othercombinations. The excision of any disclosed element of the embodimentsis explicitly contemplated as within the scope of the embodiments.

The words used in this specification to describe the various embodimentsare to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly definedmeanings, but to include by special definition in this specificationstructure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly definedmeanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of thisspecification as including more than one meaning, then its use in aclaim must be understood as being generic to all possible meaningssupported by the specification and by the word itself.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are,therefore, defined in this specification to include not only thecombination of elements which are literally set forth, but allequivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially thesame function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially thesame result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that anequivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any oneof the elements in the claims below or that a single element may besubstituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements maybe described above as acting in certain combinations and even initiallyclaimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or moreelements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised fromthe combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to asubcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by aperson with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, areexpressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of theclaims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one withordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of thedefined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specificallyillustrated and described above, what is conceptionally equivalent, whatcan be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates theessential idea of the embodiments.

We claim:
 1. A method for storing an orthodontic appliance when not inuse, the method comprising: coupling a pouch to a surface of an object;actuating the pouch into an expanded configuration; accommodating theorthodontic appliance within the pouch; actuating the pouch into acontracted configuration; and removing the pouch from the surface of theobject.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein coupling the pouch to thesurface of the object comprises magnetically coupling a back panel ofthe pouch to the surface of the object.
 3. The method of claim 1 whereincoupling the pouch to the surface of the object comprises pressing aback panel of the pouch comprising an adhesive disposed thereon againstthe surface of the object after removing a peel-off backing from theback panel.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein actuating the pouch into anexpanded configuration comprises extending at least one collapsible sideof the pouch.
 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising: coupling abase to the surface of the object; coupling the pouch to the base; andremoving the pouch from the base.
 6. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising selectively closing an opening of the pouch afteraccommodating the orthodontic appliance within the pouch.
 7. The methodof claim 6 wherein selectively closing the opening of the pouchcomprises magnetically coupling a front panel of the pouch to the backpanel of the pouch or to the surface of the object.
 8. The method ofclaim 1 wherein accommodating the orthodontic appliance within the pouchcomprises inserting the orthodontic appliance into an internal volumewithin the pouch that matches a shape of the orthodontic appliance. 9.The method of claim 1 wherein actuating the pouch into a contractedconfiguration comprises compressing at least one collapsible side of thepouch until the pouch is flush against the surface of the object. 10.The method of claim 1 wherein actuating the pouch into a contractedconfiguration comprises retracting at least one collapsible side of thepouch through a spring force provided by the at least one collapsibleside of the pouch until the pouch is flush against the surface of theobject.